When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. OurPrivacy Noticeexplains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.

We are back to Brussels today for the concluding statements after the fifth round of Brexit talks.

The usual choreography for these events is for Michel Barnier , the EU’s chief negotiator, to play down any advances and point to his every expensive watch to signal timing is running out.

This is then followed by David Davis, oozing the self-confidence of a time-share salesman, declaring the negotiations are complex and sometimes feisty but this has not prevented excellent progress that will secure trade for widget manufacturers, an important and often overlooked sector.

Regardless of their comments the fundamental stumbling block has yet to be removed: the EU want the issues of Northern Ireland, the divorce bill and citizens rights resolved before we move to trade talks while the UK says decisions on Northern Ireland and the divorce bill are integral to any future trading relationship and should be discussed now.

David Davis and Michel Barnier will give an update on the Brexit talks (Image: REUTERS)

Few now expect trade negotiations to start by the end of this month and possibly not before the end of the year (though Barnier was more optimistic than expected on this earlier in the week).

Britain has hardly helped its case with the public squabbling and disagreements within the Cabinet on what our objectives are.